Series Snetterton test summary

Christodoulou on top in first Formula 3 test
Formula 3 debutant Riki Christodoulou topped the timesheets at
Snetterton yesterday (Tuesday) in the first official test session of the
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International ...

Christodoulou on top in first Formula 3 test

Formula 3 debutant Riki Christodoulou topped the timesheets at
Snetterton yesterday (Tuesday) in the first official test session of the
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series.

Twenty-year-old West Midlander Christodoulou - a race winner in Formula
Renault in 2008 for the Fortec team - was enjoying his first taste of
Fortec's new Dallara F309 chassis. Riki's best lap was half a second
better than that of his nearest rival and just over a second inside the
Norfolk circuit's official lap record.

Said Christodoulou: "The Dallara's new aero package is awesome - you can
really feel the difference. It was a great day for me, the team worked
well and we ended up on top; I was surprised by the margin." Riki hopes
to be on the grid for the opening round of the championship but is still
seeking funding: "We don't yet have a full budget for the year but we
are working hard at it and I am still hungry for Formula 3."

The Snetterton test marked the first UK public outing for the new
Volkswagen engine; the four cars of reigning champion team Carlin
Motorsport were among the top six yesterday with Max Chilton posting
second-best time.

Daisuke Nakajima, brother of Formula 1 star Kazuki, was among those
drivers making his British F3 debut yesterday; Daisuke, a graduate
of the Japanese domestic Formula 3 series, was testing for Raikkonen
Robertson Racing.

The opening rounds of the championship, which is sponsored by US tyre
manufacturer Cooper Tire and further supported by motorsport insurance
specialist AON, by Sunoco Racing Fuels and by Anglo American Oil
Company, take place at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on Easter Monday (13 Apr).